You know you need home food storage but you still have that burning question:
So let's talk about what your family needs and how much is enough.
If you're still in the basics stage, the following chart will help you determine how much you will need.
The amounts in the chart below are for one person for one year. If you don't want to do the math for the number of people in your family, use our food storage calculator.
Item |
Per Year Amount |
Grains |
400 lbs. |
175 lbs. |
|
|
20 lbs. |
|
30 lbs. |
|
50 lbs. |
|
80 lbs. |
|
5 lbs. |
|
40 lbs. |
Legumes |
60 lbs. |
|
45 lbs. |
|
2 lbs. |
|
2 lbs. |
|
2 lbs. |
|
2 lbs. |
|
7 lbs. |
Fats and Oils |
10 quarts |
|
5 quarts |
|
2 quarts |
|
1 quart |
|
1 quart |
Milk Group |
16 lbs (or equivalent in canned milk) |
|
14 lbs. |
|
12/12 oz. cans |
Sugars |
60 lbs. |
|
40 lbs. |
|
3 lbs. |
|
1 lbs. |
|
3 lbs. |
|
3 lbs. |
|
5 lbs. |
|
5 lbs. |
|
1 lbs. |
Miscellaneous |
|
|
8 lbs. |
|
1/2 lbs. |
|
1 lbs. |
|
1 lbs. |
|
14 gallons* |
* Obviously, this would provide drinking and cooking water for only a few days - less than a week. Much more water needs to be stored, if possible. Fruits and vegetables in any form would enhance the nutritional value of this diet. |
|
Bare-bones basics have two strong appeals when you look at them strictly from a preparedness perspective: (1) these foods will sustain life if they're all you have to eat, and (2) they have a long shelf life, so if you aren't willing or able to work them into your regular diet, you can still store them for a future time of need and they'll wait for you without constant care.
A supply of bare-bones basic foods is a good place to start your home food storage program. But do add some variety to your home food storage.
It's good practice to prepare meals for your family from your food storage. "Disguise" the whole wheat until they get used to it. Check out these helpful and yummy recipes.
Don't just have bare-bones-basic foods on hand as security in an uncertain world; use them as part of your regular diet.
IMPORTANT!
Before you buy, check out the shelf-life of the various foods.